One mistake costs Kuroda

The Dodgers brought a five-game winning streak into Saturday night's game in Arizona. One swing by Brandon Allen is all it took to end it.

Allen's three-run bomb put the Diamondbacks up for good, as they would hold on for the win, 3-2. The Dodgers dropped their first game since Wednesday, July 6. Granted there was the All-Star break, but still, for the Dodgers that's a good thing.

Matt Kemp used his mighty swing to give the Dodgers an early lead. Leading off the second, he lifted a long fly to dead center that was a no-doubter. It was his 24th of the season. I'm sure it was also a swing that he wished he brought with him for the Home Run Derby in the same stadium earlier this week. Oh well.

Given a rare early lead, Hiroki Kuroda gave it up right away. Miguel Montero singled up the middle to start things off in the bottom of the second. Geoff Blum nearly hit one out himself, as his double was lined off the right field wall to put runners in scoring position.

Allen was the one caught looking to end Friday's game, so you knew he had a little bit of revenge on his mind. He sure did that, as he just crushed a shot out to right to get the early 3-1 edge.

The Dodgers had their best chance to make some noise in the fifth, but couldn't get that one big hit they needed. Aaron Miles walked leading off. Juan Uribe struck out, which is no surprise considering he's struck out in every single at-bat this season. Or close enough. Dioner Navarro got just enough of one to single into left, and after a great sacrifice by Kuroda, Tony Gwynn walked to load the bases.

Rafael Furcal has been just as bad as Uribe, so thankfully he kept the bat on his shoulder and took an RBI on a walk to make it 3-2. In a big spot, Andre Ethier could only pop up to end the threat. It was not Ethier's night, as he went 0-for-4.

Kuroda settled down from there, but it didn't much matter, as the Dodgers could only put two runners on the rest of the way as Ian Kennedy and friends shut them down.

Take away Allen's big blast, and it's very possible the Dodgers win. The DBacks still had two on with none out in that inning, so even if Allen didn't get them in, there's still a chance they score at least one of them. But when the Dodgers only put eight runners on base all night, and fail to get more than one run with the bases loaded in a tight game, it's not hard to see why they lost.

For Kuroda, it was more of the same in that he pitched well, but didn't get the runs he needed to win. He lasted six innings for five hits, three runs, no walks, and seven strikeouts. The guy has a 3.13 ERA and a 6-11 record. Unreal.

Scott Elbert did a nice job out of the bullpen, as he threw two perfect innings of relief, striking out two. When's the last time he's done that? Well, never. He's gone at least two scoreless before, but not without giving up a hit or walk. So good for him.

If the Dodgers can get a win today, then that's two straight series they've won over NL West opponents. Even if one of them was the lousy Padres, the Dodgers need all the good vibes they can get. Beating a team playing as well as the DBacks in their house would be great to see.

Ted Lilly pitched well in his last start against the Padres last Sunday, so he'll look to build on that. Daniel Hudson will look for his 10th win.